ACADEMIC AND STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Student Organizations

Columbia students can choose from more than 75 recognized student clubs and athletic teams. No matter your niche, we’ve probably got a club that’ll pique your interest: Cult Cinema Club, Illustration Student Group, Aikido Club, Columbia Renegades Soccer, Hillel, Coalition of Female Creators, and ASL Club, just to name a few.

Academic Advising

At Columbia, you and your academic advisor will be teammates in helping you navigate the curriculum and stay on track. Our advisors create a safe and positive environment to support you in exploring areas of study and creating an educational plan.

Student Diversity And Inclusion

The Student Diversity and Inclusion Office (SDI) supports students through programming, educational outreach, and intentional community building. SDI’s events aim to encourage Columbia students in the exploration of their identities as well as understanding the ways in which identity is uniquely actualized, expressed, and lived. SDI provides students with opportunities to take part in dialogue around issues of power, privilege, and oppression. These discussions will ultimately help students develop a greater understanding of themselves, each other, their communities, and the world.

Technology Support

Technology resources for Columbia students include access to cloudbased software licensed by the college for student use. Some of the programs available include Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, along with file sharing through OneDrive, and Outlook email; the full Adobe Creative Cloud which includes Photoshop, Premiere, Illustrator, and AfterEffects, plus LinkedIn Learning tutorials to get you up to speed on how to use them.

Services For Students With Disabilities

The Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office coordinates support services for students with temporary or permanent disabilities. Staff members assist in providing equal access to educational experiences at Columbia College Chicago. If you’ve had accommodations at a prior institution (for instance, an IEP or 504) please see colum.edu/ssd for more information.

Health Center

The Student Health Center is staffed by a physician or nurse practitioner, and is available to provide outpatient clinical evaluation, treatment of minor illnesses, injuries, as well as evaluation and triage/referral for more serious illnesses or injuries. Services are available to all enrolled students as costs are included in your student fees.

Trio Conaway Achievement Project

Designated specially for firstgeneration students, incomeeligible students, and students with disabilities, TRIO is a federallyfunded program that promotes an atmosphere where students can access the support they need as they focus on their academic, personal, and professional goals. A few of the benefits TRIO offers: holistic advising services; personalized student success plans; financial assistance and planning; computer lab and laptop loan services; career, learning skills, and leadership development; mentorship and coaching; and graduate school application support.

Counseling Services

Counseling Services help increase selfawareness and address mental health concerns with the goal of empowering students to manage challenging areas in their lives. Services are available to currently enrolled students, and the cost is covered by student fees. Counseling Services provide brief, short-term therapy and can make off-campus referrals for further mental health services as necessary.

The Degree Breakdown

At the undergraduate level, Columbia College Chicago offers four degree types. Which one is right for you? Let’s take a look:

BACHELOR OF ARTS (BA)

• 90% of Columbia students choose a BA program

• Generally requires fewer credits in the major (but there are some exceptions)

• Provides greater flexibility for a minor and/or electives

• Available to spring or fall semester applicants

• Additional application materials (portfolio/audition) required for scholarship consideration

• Perfect for students with diverse interests

BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS (BFA) AND BACHELOR OF MUSIC (BMUS)

• In-depth, focused course of study with more credits in the major

• Less flexibility for a minor and/or electives

• Earlier application deadlines

• Additional application materials (portfolio/audition) required

• Applications only accepted for fall semester (except the Interior Architecture BFA)

• See colum.edu/bfa for more details

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE (BS)

• Heavier on technology-based coursework

• In-depth, focused course of study with more credits in the major

• Less flexibility for a minor and/or electives

• Multiple advanced Mathematics courses required

• Prior Mathematics coursework is beneficial

Degree Components

All of Columbia’s undergraduate degrees consist of three components: The Columbia Core, major requirements, and electives. The precise breakdown of credits in each category can vary based on the degree you’re pursuing, but it’s important to note that BA degrees require 120 total credits across these three categories, while the BFA, BMus, and BS degrees require 128 total credits. You can find complete degree planning tools at catalog.colum.edu, and you (especially if you’re a transfer) should work closely with your Admissions Representative to understand how the credits you’ve already earned will count toward your degree.

BA BFA/BMus/BS

33 credits of electives*

120

TOTAL CREDITS

42 credits Columbia Core

128

TOTAL CREDITS

45 credits in your major

11 credits of electives*

42 credits Columbia Core

75 credits in your major

*Figures for major and elective credits are approximate and can vary based on your specific major.

A Note On Core Requirements

If you have or expect to earn transfer or dual enrollment credits, or credits through Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams, you may have already completed some of the Columbia Core requirements. Check out the tables at colum.edu/ap or colum.edu/ib to see what credits your exam scores have earned. Or, if you’re a Transfer student, talk to your Columbia Representative about how the credits you’ve already earned might fit into your intended degree plan.